Government to Introduce Immigration Visas for Labor-Short Agriculture and Fisheries... Seasonal Workers to Operate Year-Round

Establishment of New Residency Status for Skilled Agricultural and Fishery Workers, etc.

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] The government announced on the 14th that it will implement measures to revitalize the seasonal labor system to address the labor shortage in the agriculture and fisheries sectors starting next year. Considering the difficulty of securing labor from overseas due to COVID-19, the temporary seasonal labor system, which was operated only for foreigners residing in Korea, will be made permanent.

The government decided that if seasonal workers entering from overseas comply with domestic laws, work diligently, and receive recommendations from the relevant local government, the competent immigration office will issue a visa issuance certificate to guarantee re-entry opportunities. For foreign workers who have worked diligently for five years under the seasonal labor (E-8) visa, a new agricultural and fisheries skilled worker (E-7-5) residency status will be established and granted. The introduction of an agricultural and fisheries immigrant visa will also be pursued to allow residence in depopulated rural areas.

Additionally, the number of workers assignable per farm will be expanded from the current maximum of 9 to 12, and when changes in status such as worker departure occur, additional workers can be assigned from foreigners residing in Korea. The regulation limiting employment to only two crops per farm when hiring foreigners will also be abolished. To block illegal intermediaries during the foreign worker introduction process, a return deposit system will be established, and employers who illegally employ foreigners who have absconded after being introduced for specific policy purposes will face strengthened penalties.

A government official stated, "We will actively support many foreigners to participate in seasonal labor employment activities to resolve the worsening labor shortage in rural and fishing villages caused by COVID-19."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.